Softball spotlight's on Manteno's Brooke Stulga

But Carlile didn't hear much from Stulga, now a sophomore, during the first two years he gave her pitching lessons, which began when Stulga was in fifth grade.

Carlile's background — a sergeant in the Army National Guard — combined with his crewcut and voice kept Stulga quiet until she was in seventh grade.

"I was so scared of him," Stulga said. "I would just do my work and not look at him. Now I'm taller than him, so I'm not scared. I'm used to him."

Stulga worked with Carlile almost by accident. Her mom forced her to participate in a two-day pitching clinic held by Carlile and his wife.

"I was really bad at pitching at first, and my dad questioned whether I should pitch or not," Stulga recalled. "I just kept working at it."

Now 5-foot-10, Stulga is scaring opponents with an assortment of pitches that includes a fastball clocked at 64 mph. Stulga's sudden rise has helped No. 8 Manteno (22-0) remain one of the few unbeaten teams in the state. Stulga improved to 19-0 following a 13-strikeout performance against Westmont on Thursday. She has given up 49 hits and struck out 165 in 111 innings.

"It's been a great season so far," Stulga said. "We're crushing the ball, our defense is solid and I'm pitching good. We can't be content and have to keep working hard if we want to get to state."

Stulga planted the seed for a successful high school career by guiding Manteno to the Class 2A Illinois Elementary School Association championship in eighth grade. In four state games, Stulga allowed one run, tossed a no-hitter and struck out a state record 13 in the title game.

"I've seen Brooke's talent for a long time," said Carlile, the coach of the 2009 state team. "She's a very confident girl. She never has any self-doubt and believes every game that she'll pitch her best."

Stulga, who has started receiving attention from several major colleges during the last month, was 13-2 with 189 strikeouts last year.

"Brooke threw well last year and carried that into this year," Carlile said. "I think Brooke can play softball anywhere she wants (in college). She's got the pitching skills and also is a fantastic hitter."

These days Stulga helps council younger players coming through the system not to be afraid of Carlile, calling him "Sarge" instead of "Coach."

"We have a really close relationship; she's almost like another child of mine," Carlile said. "I'm not a big, mean person. She just wouldn't talk to me for the first two years. Now it's a different story."